Citation

Katsumata Y, Arai A, Tomimori M, Ishida K, Lee RB, Tamashiro H. Geriatr. Gerontol. Int. 2011; 11(3): 282-289.

Affiliation

Department of Public Health and Hygiene, Faculty of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara Department of Gerontological Policy, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu Department of Global Health and Epidemiology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Japan Geriatrics Society, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1447-0594.2010.00679.x

PMID

21241446

Abstract

Aim:  This cross-sectional study examined the relationships of fear of falling and falls self-efficacy with higher-level competence among community-dwelling senior citizens in Japan. Methods:  Of the 822 registered senior citizens, 731 (89%) community dwellers were requested to participate in the survey using a mailed self-accomplished questionnaire. Data from 648 respondents with duly accomplished questionnaires were analyzed using R(2) , the coefficient of determination, based on a multivariate regression analysis. Results:  Fear of falling, low falls self-efficacy and higher-level functional disability were observed among respondents. Of the hypothesized relationships examined by sex, fear of falling was significantly associated with disability among male respondents and low falls self-efficacy among both sexes. Several confounding variables were strongly associated with competence. Conclusion:  While the data underscore the strategic importance of promoting higher-level competence among the senior citizens, there is much to suggest that their competence is likely to be maintained if their fear of falling and falls self-efficacy were modified. Programs must also consider a wide array of intervening factors.

Language: en